I'm not saying SF is the rule, nor am I saying a WS can be won, just saying that a team can compete with that type of roster.

As far as the A's go, that's their WAR's this year. My point is, coming into this year, on paper: Did anyone expect a 30 year old career minor leaguer like Brandon Moss to hit 30HR and drive in 85 runs? A so-so minor league catcher turned 3rd baseman, Josh Donaldson, to suddenly become a 90+ RBI man? Coco Crisp at 33 to have his best season since 2006?

W/the exception of maybe Cespedes they were all average to below average offensive players coming into this year.

Cespedes might be the most overrated player in baseball. He had himself a nice year last year, but because he put on a good show at the homerun derby people think he is Adam Jones or something. He is a little better that Viciedo as far as I'm concerned.

And as for going for the moneyball/ A's approach, I'll pass. That hasn't gotten them to even the World Series once, and the ALCS maybe once (don't want to check now).

You're right. Let's spend the 5 years of losing it took Cleveland to build up assets for that small of a payroll to be relevant.

edit: went back and checked. Indeed, Cleveland's last winning team was in 2007.

Actually it took them a lot less. They signed 14 free agents last winter many of whom ended up on the 25 man roster. Nick Swisher made 11Mil and he got the most money so they used the same approach Boston used and signed 2nd tier free agents. Actually Cleveland probably signed 3rd tier guys.

Actually it took them a lot less. They signed 14 free agents last winter many of whom ended up on the 25 man roster. Nick Swisher made 11Mil and he got the most money so they used the same approach Boston used and signed 2nd tier free agents. Actually Cleveland probably signed 3rd tier guys.

That's still 11 players on their roster already taking up no money that are a culmination of previous moves, trades, drafts signings.

These things don't turn around in a year without twice as much money, nay four times as much money, as Cleveland spent this offseason. Can you designate for me 11 no money members of our organization or trade targets, and 14 free agents this offseason that we can use to build a 90 win team on a payroll of $80 million? That's preposterous.

That's still 11 players on their roster already taking up no money that are a culmination of previous moves, trades, drafts signings.

These things don't turn around in a year without twice as much money, nay four times as much money, as Cleveland spent this offseason. Can you designate for me 11 no money members of our organization or trade targets, and 14 free agents this offseason that we can use to build a 90 win team on a payroll of $80 million? That's preposterous.

I don't think the White Sox can turn it around that fast. But we saw Boston and Cleveland make major strides in one season. Now Boston had a solid core in Pedroia, Ortiz and Ellsbury. But they added 5 position players who had really good years---Carp-Ross- Drew-Gomes-Napoli and spent 20 Mil for them. Indians signed a bunch of 2nd/3rd tier guys as well.
In the case of the White Sox, they have a limited core of position players to build around. But they probably have a better starting pitcher group than Boston or Cleveland did entering 2013.

I don't think the White Sox can turn it around that fast. But we saw Boston and Cleveland make major strides in one season. Now Boston had a solid core in Pedroia, Ortiz and Ellsbury. But they added 5 position players who had really good years---Carp-Ross- Drew-Gomes-Napoli and spent 20 Mil for them. Indians signed a bunch of 2nd/3rd tier guys as well.
In the case of the White Sox, they have a limited core of position players to build around. But they probably have a better starting pitcher group than Boston or Cleveland did entering 2013.

You're dismissing the fact that those teams still had viable rotations and pens though. We don't have viable anything. We have three players, maybe 4, in our entire system that can be counted on to be better than average over the next two seasons. And getting them the cheap way took Cleveland half a decade. My point is that the comparison isn't apt. You can't just say "oh we only need half a dozen viable roster options with high end ability for half of the roster, and then we'll sign the other half via free agency in one off-season" like that's something that's possible unless you've laid the groundwork for many years and it's the perfect storm of excess talent with minimal demand.

The first two starters are solid. Everything after that is a little iffy.

I can't see how Santiago was "iffy" in 2013. Danks tailed off in the second half, but that should be expected from a guy coming off major shoulder surgery. Johnson looked good, although in a limited sample size. I have no worries about the starting staff in 2014.

I can't see how Santiago was "iffy" in 2013. Danks tailed off in the second half, but that should be expected from a guy coming off major shoulder surgery. Johnson looked good, although in a limited sample size. I have no worries about the starting staff in 2014.

Santiago's the least iffy of the bunch, to me. His control issues are my concern there. When he's able to throw strikes he's a very effective pitcher. I realize that's the case for most pitchers, but it's something that Santiago needs to work on.

Danks may be alright, but he was awfully homer-prone last year. That could be a lingering effect of the surgery, I sure hope it is.

Johnson was too small of a sample to really say one way or the other, although he certainly wasn't bad.

Actually it took them a lot less. They signed 14 free agents last winter many of whom ended up on the 25 man roster. Nick Swisher made 11Mil and he got the most money so they used the same approach Boston used and signed 2nd tier free agents. Actually Cleveland probably signed 3rd tier guys.

I know this doesn't have anything to do with us, but I could easily see Cleveland slipping back to 90+ losses next year. Their starting rotation has a lot of holes and they have too much money invested in guys like Swisher. . I think Francona is not only manager of the year, he might be manager of the decade or longer.

Santiago's the least iffy of the bunch, to me. His control issues are my concern there. When he's able to throw strikes he's a very effective pitcher. I realize that's the case for most pitchers, but it's something that Santiago needs to work on.

Considering he's only 25 years old, he should be able to continue to mature and throw more strikes. It's not mentioned often, but the White Sox had the youngest pitching staff in the American League. I think patience will be rewarded handsomely with this staff if it is given.